Die roll



March 4, 1941.

E. A. WEIDENMILLER DIE ROLL Filed May 22, 1940 1720622 L107 Edward/41VzzmiZier Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIE ROLL

9 Claims.

- The invention relates generally to cylindrical die rolls of thecharacter employed in rotary cookie molding machines, and moreparticularly it relates to such die rolls wherein the individual diecavities are formed on a plurality of separately formed or cast segmentswhich are then assembled to produce the desired cylindrical die roll.

The primary object of the present invention is to produce a die roll ofthis character which is accurate and economical of construction, andrugged in use.

When such segment-type die rolls are used for molding cookies, it isessential that the joints between the segments have a tight fit so as toprevent passage of grease or shortening from the cookie dough into theinterior of the die roll.

An important object, therefore, of the present invention is to providesuch a die roll wherein this desired sealing of the joints between these ments is attained by simple means which does not involve the use ofadditional parts.

In the use of a die roll in a rotary cookie machine it is necessary thatthe excess dough be removed from the die roll and from the bottom orexposed surface of the molded cookie blanks and for this purpose ascraper or knife bears constantly against the rapidly rotating die rollwith a yielding pressure. With prior segment type die rolls this knifehas tended. to catch upon the joints between adjacent ends of the diesegments. This action has been objectionable from the standpoint ofnoise, and by its constant impact, with even a few of these joints of aroll, has caused gradual loosening of all of the joints of the roll, aswell as vibration in the machine as a whole.

A further object is to produce a segment type die roll wherein thisobjectionable action is positively avoided.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in whichFigure 1 is a side elevational view showing a rotary cookie moldingmachine wherein the die roll of the present invention is used.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental longitudinal cross sectional View of the die rollof the invention, taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental transverse section of the die roll.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the die segments.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental cross section of the rim of one of thesupporting members.

For purposes of disclosure the invention is herein illustrated asembodied in a segment type die roll adapted for use in a rotary cookiemolding machine ll. Such a machine may be constructed and operated asdisclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 329,623, filed April15, 1940, and as herein shown comprises a frame I2 in which the moldingor die roll I0 is mounted in opposition to a forcing r011 I3, both ofthese rolls being located beneath and forming apart of the bottom of ahopper l4. When the rolls l0 and [3 are rotated in unison in oppositedirections, as indicated by the arrows, dough from the hopper I4 isforced into the die cavities I5 of the roll Ill. As the molded cookieblanks l5 move downwardly with the roll I0, a scraper or knife 16 whichacts yieldingly against the roll II], as shown in Fig. 3, removes theexcess dough from the molding roll l0 and the exposed surfaces of themolded cookie blanks These finished blanks move with the roll l0 intoengagement with an extracting belt I1 which withdraws the molded blanksl5 from the die cavities l5 and deposits them on a conveyor or pan formovement into an oven l8.

The molding or die roll 10 of the present inven tion has a central oraxial supporting and driving shaft 20 which has a pair of disk-like endplates or members 2| and a plurality of intermediate spider members 22carried on the shaft 20 in spaced relation so as to support a pluralityof individual die segments 23 to form the cylindrical outer surface ofthe die roll. The die segments 23 are arranged in a plurality of annularrows, with the adjacent side edges of the several rows preferably inabutment (as shown in Fig. 2), and with these annular joints supportedand positioned by the several spider members 22 and the remote sideedges of the two end rows supported and positioned-by the two endmembers 2|.

In supporting the die segments 23, the die segments and the severalsupporting members 2| and 22 are soformed and associated that the rollis effectually sealed against the entrance of shortening or grease intothe interior of the roll, and this result is attained in such a mannerthat'accuracy and permanency of positioning and sealing is assured.Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, each spider member 22 has its rim 25 formedwith an outwardly facing positioning or sealing surface 26 which iscylindrical or annular in form and concentric with the axis of the shaft20. These I surfaces 26 are of the same diameter on all of i face 26 or26' at an edge 3|.

the spider members 22; and similar sealing and positioning surfaces 26are formed on the adjacent edges of the end members 2|.

The several die segments 23 are formed with arcuate seats or positioningsurfaces 21 which face radially inwardly and are adapted to rest againstthe positioning surfaces 26 or 26', as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Thesesurfaces 21 are spaced inwardly from the outer face 28 of the segment,so as to provide side edge surfaces 29 on the segment, each of thesesurfaces 29 being formed so as to lie in a plane perpendicular to thecentral axis of the finished roll H).

To hold the several annular rows of segments 23 in position on themembers 2| and 22, with their surfaces 21 against surfaces 26 and 26' ofthe supporting members, the present invention provides means whichassures tight sealing engagement of these surfaces. This means comprisesa plurality of cooperating cam surfaces on the supporting members 2| and22 and on the several segments 23 whereby endwise clamping of the enddisk members 2| causes the several segments 23 to be drawn radiallyinwardly and to produce a firm engagement between the surfaces 26 and21.

In the present instance this means comprises complemental annular camsurfaces 36 on the several supporting members 2| and 22, and segmentalarcuate cam surfaces 3| on the opposite sides of each die segment 23.Each annular surface 30, as seen in cross section in Fig. 2, is disposedat an angle of about 45 with respect to the positioning surfaces 26 or26' so as to face somewhat inwardly and in an endwise direction; andeach surface 30 meets the positioning sur- One such cam surface 36 isprovided for each surface 26 or 26', so that the spider members 22 havetwo such surfaces 30, while the end members 2| have one such surface 30.

The cam surfaces 3| of the segments are similarly disposed at an angleof substantially 45 to their positioning surfaces 21, so that eachsurface 3| is disposed so as to face somewhat toward a surface 21 andslightly in an endwise direction. 'If desired the surfaces 3| may beformed on inwardly projecting flanges 33 along the side edges of thesegments, since this construction results in a segment of relativelylight weight.

When the several segments 23 are in position on the supporting members2| and 22, with their positioning surfaces 26 and 21 in opposedrelation, and their cam surfaces 30 and 3| in opposed relation, the twoend members 2| are drawn toward each other by clamping means such as aplurality of tie rods 34. These rods 34 project through suitableopenings in the end members 2| and in the spokes 22' of the spidermembers 22, and have tightening nuts 35 whereby the desired clampingaction is attained.

As the endwise clamping action progresses,

the cooperating cam surfaces 38 and 3| act to draw the surfaces 21radially inwardly against the surfaces 26 or 26' thereby to produce aneffective sealing relation between these surfaces. It will beunderstood, of course, that the relative dimensioning of the severalparts is such as to permit such clamping or sealing of the surfaces 26and 21, and that the relation of the side surfaces 29 is such that thesesurfaces 29 of adjacent segments will be firmly engaged at the time theradially inward clamping movement of the segments is completed. Onesurface 29 of th end row of segments is drawn similarly against anannular shoulder 35 formed on the end member 2|, the outer surface ofthe end memi so formed that these joints formed by their abutting endshave a favorable and advantageous cooperation with the scraper or knifel6. This end is attained by forming the rear or trailing end face 31 ofthe die segment so that it meets the outer face 28 of the segment at arelatively acute angle, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The forward orleading. end face 38 is oppositely formed, in that it meets this outerface 28 at a substantially complemental obtuse angle, as shown in Figs.3 and 4.

Thus when the die roll is in operation, and is rotated in engagementwith the knife |6 as indicated in Fig. 3, theknife edge passes from onesegment to another with'no appreciable jar or noise; and there can be nopounding of the joint on or against the edge of the knife as in priorsegment type rolls.

If desired, coacting interlocking lugs 39 and 60 may be formed on thesupporting members 2| and 22 and on one or more of 'the segments 23 ofeach annular row, thereby to prevent circumferential displacement of thesegments during use of the roll. These lugs 39 and 40 are not requiredexcept where relatively stiff doughs are to be molded, the frictionalforces induced by the clamping means 3435 being sufficient to hold thesegments inplace in most instances. The several support members 2| and22 are fixed so as to rotate with the drive shaft 20 by means such as aplurality of keys 4|.

After the several die segments 23 have been cast or otherwise formed,with the desired die cavities 5 therein, the required machiningoperations may be accurately and easily performed, preferably'usinga'plurality of reference points in the die cavity to accurately positionthe segments in the work holder. Thus the relation of the die cavity tothe positioning surfaces 21 may be established uniformly in all of thedie segments, and by the action ofthe cam surfaces 30 and 3| thesurfaces 26 and 21 are drawn firmly together, so that the several diecavities in the finished form are uniformly related to the rotative axisof the roll. Hence when the outer face of the roll is surfaced orfinished concentric to this axis, all of the die cavities are of uniformcapacity, and the roll will produce cookies of uniform size and weight.6

Since proper sealing of the joints between the segments is assured bythe present construction, grease cannot enter into the interior of theroll; and this desired sealed relation is preserved throughout the lifeof the roll since the present invention has eliminated the jarring orhammer action of the knife upon the roll. These improved characteristicsof the present invention are attained without the use of added parts, sothat the cost of materials and assembly is mini mized.

In preventin chipping of metal from the joints of the roll by thescraper or knife the present invention represents a marked improvementover 7 been to chip metal from theleading edge of the die segments, andthis objection-able action in prior rolls has become more pronounced asthe joints become worn or loosened in use. With the present device, theleading edge of the die segment is formed at an obtuse angle to theouter surface of the roll, so thateven if the joints become loose, theknife will meet a surface which will tend to cam the knife back towardits normal relation, there being no radially related edge or surfaceinto which the knife may cut or chip as in prior rolls.

Moreover, the acute-angled trailing edge of the present segment iscontinually pressed toward or against the complemental surface of thenext adjacent segment so as to tend constantly to establish a smoothjoint; and this joint is continually being urged toward a tighter andmore perfectly sealed relation. Hence the necessity, which hasheretofore been present, of attempting to smooth over, or seal,disrupted joints in the roll, has been eliminated. The elimination ofthis necessity for soldering is of great importance because the presenceof grease or shortening in such loose joints (as well as the greasewhich has penetrated within the roll through such loose joints) rendersthe soldering difficult, with the result that such solder loosens and isdeposited in the cookie dough. The presence of such solder particles, orchips of the metal of the roll, in the cookies is objectionable from apublic health standpoint, and from the standpoint of possible liabilityfrom the consumer, and by the present invention these hazards have beeneliminated.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cast-segment type of die roll for molding cookies and likearticles, the combination of a central supporting shaft, a pair ofdisk-like end plate members and a plurality of intermediate spidermembers all mounted on said central shaft concentrically therewith andin spaced relation axially of said shaft, each of said members having anannular positioning surface formed on its periphery concentric with theaxis of said shaft and of a predetermined diameter, a plurality ofarcuate die segments each having a die cavity in its outer convexsurface and having positioning surfaces formed along its arcuate sideedges for engagement with the positioning surfaces of two adjacent onesof said members, said segments being disposed in a plurality of annularrows, one such row being positioned between each adjacent pair of saidmembers to form a cylindrical die roll, cooperating cam surface means onsaid members and said segments and operable by clamping force applied tosaid end members endwise toward each other to clamp and seal thepositioning surfaces of said segments against the positioning surfacesof said members, and means for applying such clamping force to said endmembers.

2. In a cast-segment type of die roll for molding cookies and likearticles, the combination of a central supporting shaft, a pair ofdisk-dike end plate members and a plurality of intermediate spidermembers all mounted on said central shaft concentrically therewith andin spaced relation axially of said shaft, each of said members having anoutwardly facing annular positioning surface formed on its peripheryconcentric with the axis of said shaft and of a predetermined diameter,a plurality of arcuate die segments each having a die cavity inits outerconvexsurface and having inwardly facing positioningsurfaces formedalong its arcuate side edges for engagement with the positioningsurfaces of any two adjacent ones of said members, said segments beingdisposed in a plurality of annular rows, one such row being positionedbetween each adjacent pair of said members to form a cylindrical dieroll, cooperating cam surface means on said members and said segmentslocated inwardly of said positioning surfaces operable by clamping forceapplied to said end members endwise toward each other to clamp and sealthe positioning surfaces of said segments against the positioningsurfaces of said members, and means for applying such clamping force tosaid end members.

3. A cast segment type of die roll for molding cookies and likearticles, said die roll comprising, in combination, a central supportingshaft, a pair of disk-like end plate members and a plurality ofintermediate spider members all mounted on said central shaftconcentrically therewith and in spaced relation axially of said shaft,each of said members having an annular positioning surface formed on itsperiphery concentric with the axis. of said shaft and of a predetermineddiameter, a plurality of arcuate die segments each having a die cavityin its outer convex surface and having" positioning surfaces formedalong its arcuate side edges for engagement with the positioningsurfaces of any two adjacent ones of said members, said segments beingdisposed in a plurality of annular rows, one such row being positionedbetween each adjacent pair of said members to form a cylindrical dieroll, said segment" members being formed with each pair of abutting endsurfaces disposed at a relatively acute angle to a plane which istangent to the segments at the line defined by the juncture of theoutermost edges of said end surfaces, cooperating cam surface means onsaid members and said segments and operable by clamping force applied tosaid end members endwise toward each other to clamp and seal thepositioning surfaces of said segments against the'positioning surfacesof said members, and means for applying such clamping force to said endmembers.

4. A cast-segment type of die roll for molding cookies and likearticles, comprising, in combination, a central supporting shaft, a pairof disklike end plate members and a plurality of intermediate spidermembers all mounted on said central shaft concentrically therewith andin spaced relation axially of said shaft, each of said members having anannular positioning surface formed on its periphery concentric with theaxis of said shaft and of a predetermined diameter, a plurality ofarcuate die segments each having a die cavity in its outer convexsurface and having inwardly facing positioning surfaces formed along itsarcuate side edges for engagement with the positioning surfaces of anytwo adjacent ones of said members, said segments being disposed in aplurality of annular rows, one such row being positioned between eachadjacent pair of said members to form a cylindrical die roll,cooperating cam surface means on said members and said segments andoperable by clamping force applied to said end members endwise towardeach other to clamp and seal the positioning surfaces of said segmentsagainst the positioning surfaces of said members, means for applyingsuch clamping force to said end members, means securing said members tosaid shaft for rotation with said shaft in unison, and meansinterlocking one of thesegments of each row with one of the adjacentones of said members for the transmission of motion to each of said rowsby saidmembers.

5. A segment-type die roll for molding cookies and like articles, thecombination of a central supporting shaft, a plurality of die segmentseach constituting a segment of a cylinder and having a die cavity in itsouter convex surface, means supporting said segments in spaced relationto said central shaft to form a cylindrical die roll, said segmentsbeing arranged in a plurality of annular rows with the segments of eachrow having their end edges in abutment, said end edges being formed sothat the surface of one end edge of each segment meets the outer surfaceof such segment at a relatively sharp acute angle, and the surface ofthe other end edge of each segment meets the outer surface of suchsegment at a relatively large obtuse angle which is substantially thecomplement of said acute angle.

6. A segment-type die roll adapted for use in a rotary cookie moldingmachine wherein a scraper knife bears against the surface of the dieroll as it is rotated in a predetermined direction during operation ofthe machine, said roll comprising, in combination, a plurality of diesegments each constituting a segment of a cylinder and each having a diecavity in its outer convex surface, means supporting said segments toform a cylindrical die roll, said segments being arranged in a pluralityof annular rows with the segments of each row having their end edges inabutment, said end edges being formed so that the surface of thetrailing end edge of each segment meets the outer surface of suchsegment at a relatively sharp acute. angle, to facilitate movement ofsuch end joints past the engaging edge of the scraper knife.

7. A die block for use in making, an assembled segment type die roll,said die block comprising a rectangular segment of a cylinder, thestraight edges of which segment constitute. end edges of the block andthe arcuate edges of which segment constitute the side edges of theblock, each of said arcuate side edges of said block being formed toprovide a groove therein having a first side of the groove facingradially inwardly toward the axis upon which said segment is centeredand forming a portion of a cylindrical surface concentric with said axisand with the arcuate outer convex surface of the block, and the otherside of the groove being positioned at an acute angle to said first sideof the groove.

8. A die block for use in constructing a-segment type die roll, said dieblock comprising a rectangular block of metal forming a segment andhaving its outer surface of an arcuate form such that a plurality ofsaid blocks may be assembled to form a cylindrical die, the arcuateedges of said segment each havingv a V-shaped groove formed thereinspaced radially inwardly from said outer surface.

9. A die. block for use in constructing a segment type die roll, saiddie block comprising a rectangular block of metal forming a segment Iand having its outer surfaceof an arcuate form such that a plurality ofsaid blocks may be assembled to form a cylindrical die, the arcuateedges of said segmenteach having a V-shaped groove formed therein spacedradially inwardly from said outer surface, said groove having one sidesurface concentric with said outer surface.

EDWARD A. WEIDENMILLER.

